Hand-drawn Metroidvania platformer Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus coming to Switch
Posted on June 20, 2022 by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch eShop
Squid Shock Studios has revealed that Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus is in the works for Switch.
The hand-drawn Metroidvania game was actually funded through Kickstarter previously where it earned about $175,000. More recently, it’s been in the news after it was recognized that members of AM2R are leading the way on development. AM2R was the Metroid 2 remake created by fans.
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus, an original “untold tale” from Japanese folklore, has players take on the role of a Tentaihana (celestial blossom) that descended from the heavens to play a key role in a mysterious ancient ritual. The character can use a special staff as a main weapon and to unlock mystical abilities throughout the game. Various games and anime have been listed as inspirations, including Okami, Hollow Knight, Paper Mario, Spirited Away, Attack on Titan, and more.
Here’s some additional information about the game:
Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is a hand-drawn 2D Metroidvania platformer based in a colorful world of Japanese folklore. Use your legendary bō staff to bounce and move fluidly through a delightfully-demonic East Asian fever dream. Use the tight movement and reset system to reach areas efficiently and gracefully or recover chaotically while floundering for footing.
- A familiar 2D side-scrolling action platformer that merges classic hand-drawn animation and scenery with new atmospheric bells and whistles that make the experience wondrously novel yet cozily familiar.
- Tight platforming controls. Bō feels amazing to control and players will feel great agency as they enter a flow state navigating the challenging platforming challenges.
- Explore a mysterious world! The world of Bō is open and interconnected. Explore everything from haunted bathhouses to a thriving Japanese-inspired metropolis. Find ways to travel back to areas that you thought you explored fully and unlock new paths and surprises.
- Unlock powerful new abilities! Brew and drink arcane teas to unlock Bō’s shapeshifting staff abilities. Including the Mochi Mallet, Blossom Dash and the Grappling Gun.
- Daruma doll Power ups! Collect daruma dolls throughout your journey to tune your abilities and give you advantages (or even disadvantages) in unique ways. All daruma dolls begin with 1 eye filled in. They can be upgraded to a 2-eyed daruma that enhances the original daruma’s perk. These loveable daruma dolls will be by your side throughout your journey.
- A large cast of bizarre and adorable yokai (monsters from Japanese folklore) as well as original characters based on Japanese cultural archetypes. All of these characters and enemies are brought to life with traditional hand-drawn 2D frame-by-frame animation. Help them with their side quests or just stop by for a chat and a cup of tea.
- Epic Boss Battles! On your journey you will encounter many massive monsters from Japanese folklore. Use your gained knowledge and skill to vanquish them and advance further in your quest.
- Beautiful hand-drawn and immersive areas and landscapes with traditional Japanese inspired trimmings.
- An absolutely gorgeous original score composed by Moises Carmago, that beautifully blends traditional Japanese instrumentation with modern orchestral music.
Watch a trailer for Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus below.
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus is due out on Switch in 2023. Learn more about the game on Kickstarter here.
